RB1140 Testimony to Judicary
On March 10, 2023, the Justice of the Peace Association submitted testimony (see below Sec. 3) to the Connecticut’s Planning & Development Committee. It supported the Secretary of the State’s recommendation for a JP working group. After a meeting with JPus managing member and reviewing its white paper, Secretary Thomas’ office developed this language to be considered by legislators:
Sec. 3. (Effective from June 15, 2023).
(a) There is established a working group to examine and make recommendations on (a) the methods of determining how many justices of the peace positions there are in each town and statewide; (b) the portability of justice of the peace appointments across town lines; (c) the process by which justices of the peace are selected; (d) potential training, minimum qualifications, application process, and background check requirements; (e) oversight; (f) legal ramifications of misrepresenting status as a justice of the peace; (g) issues related to reporting trafficking, forced marriage, and marriage fraud; and (h) any other relevant issues.
(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Secretary of the State, or the Secretary’s designee, who shall be the chairperson of such working group;
(2) The managing member of the Justice of the Peace Association, or the managing member’s designee;
(3) Two town clerks appointed by the Connecticut Town Clerk’s Association, not of the same political party;
(4) One town party chair appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(5) One justice of the peace appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(4) One town party chair appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
(5) One justice of the peace appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and
(6) Two justices of the peace not affiliated with either major party appointed by the Justice of the Peace Association.
(c) All initial appointments to the working group shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(e) The Secretary of the State, or the Secretary’s designee, as chairperson of the working group, shall schedule the first meeting of such working group, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to justices of the peace shall serve as administrative staff of the working group.
(g) Not later than June 30, 2024, the working group shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, and to the Secretary of the State. The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 30, 2024, whichever is later.
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